With any instruments made from wood users need to keep in mind weather and humidity when storing, playing, and cleaning. Any sudden changes or extremes can permanently damage the instrument.

One option for controlling and monitoring humidity is a product called "dampit." Although not all instruments are specifically listed they can be used in other instruments.

Reeds

As a general rule, one individual reed will last about 6 hours of playing time, as long as it is not chipped, cracked, or ruined with soda or juice, etc. That means a student who has band for 1 hour a day, 5 days a week, would go through about one reed a week if they only played during band class. However, students should be practicing, at minimum, in 15 minute sessions, 3 different days, every week - MINIMUM.